South Korea has launched an agency for defence drones

The new unit replaces the former Drone Operations Command (established in 2023) and takes over the role of the primary centre coordinating strategy and the development of uncrewed systems and anti-drone systems for all branches of the armed forces. Direct combat tasks are being assumed by the individual service branches, while the general direction of operations remains the responsibility of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The launch of the agency is the implementation of the uncrewed systems development strategy adopted in June. The new unit consists of approximately 100 personnel (compared to around 280 in the previous command) and has a more specialised character – focusing on developing concepts of use, testing, procurement support, certification, and cooperation with the civilian sector. More than half of the staff are senior officers. It is headed by an officer with the rank of Major General – the position is currently held temporarily by the former commander of the Drone Operations Command, Kim Deuk-bong.

The Ministry emphasises that the goal is to make drones a commonplace combat tool – a kind of „second personal weapon” for the soldier – and to accelerate the integration of civilian technologies into the military. Deputy Minister Lee Du-hee noted that it is not enough to acquire new technologies – they must be rapidly transformed into real combat capabilities.

„We take the development of North Korea’s drone capabilities very seriously,” a ministry representative stated. „However, assessing potential requires going beyond the performance of the machines themselves. It is crucial to consider the entire system of detection, identification, tracking, and countermeasures.”

Procurement plans and production location

The military plans an urgent purchase of more than 20,000 low-cost, disposable combat drones and the acceleration of the K-LUCAS (Korean Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) programme – a domestic long-range loitering munition, including kamikaze drones, modelled on systems such as the Lucas/Shahed. To avoid bureaucratic delays, Seoul is introducing a faster certification track for civilian equipment, similar to the American Blue UAS. Simultaneously, it is focusing on making the component supply chain independent of China in cooperation with the USA and its allies.